[06/11/12 - 12:40 PM]Season Five of "Mad Men" Is the Most Watched Season to DateAMC spins the numbers for Sunday, June 10 and the season to date.

[via press release from AMC]

SEASON FIVE OF "MAD MEN" IS THE MOST WATCHED SEASON TO DATE

SEASON FIVE FINISHES UP +15% OVER SEASON FOUR

MOST WATCHED SEASON FINALE IN SERIES HISTORY

New York, NY - June 11, 2012 - Last night, AMC concluded season five of "Mad Men," which resulted in the most watched season to date with an average of 2.6 million viewers increasing 15% over last season's average. Last night's finale marks the highest finale in the series history with a 2.0 HH rating and 2.7 million viewers. Among the core demo of Adults 25-54, "Mad Men" delivered 1.4 million viewers marking an increase of +13% versus the season four finale. "Mad Men" is a top 3 original drama series each week among Adults 25-54 on basic cable.

"Matthew Weiner and his remarkable team have again delivered a season of television beyond compare. We couldn't be more proud of this program and the brilliant writers, cast and crew that bring it to life," said Charlie Collier, AMC's president. "As in each season prior, season five is now 'Mad Men's' most-watched season, an uncommon television growth record and a testament to the ongoing quality and uniqueness of this rare property. I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that the record live-same-day Nielsen ratings that gain so much attention are only a small part of the 'Mad Men' success story. Congratulations to the entire 'Mad Men' team on another terrific season."

"We make 'Mad Men' for the fans. My goal is to tell a compelling story and entertain people and it thrills me that people keep watching," said Matthew Weiner, creator and executive producer.

Key Nielsen Highlights for "Mad Men's" season five:

· "Mad Men" is amongst the most engaging drama series on basic cable, providing the highest percent of live 7 to live viewing gains among Adults 25-54.*

· "Mad Men" adds an average of 1.9 million additional viewers within live plus 3 to live and an additional 2.3 million viewers within live plus 7 to live. "Mad Men" averaged 4.2 million live plus 7 total viewers increasing 121% vs. live.

· The series continues to be cable's most upscale drama series with 49% of its Adult 25-54 audience maintaining a household income of $100K+.***

· On iTunes season five currently reigns in the top five for cable dramas.

· On Netflix, the first episode of the first season is the series most watched episode.

Source: *11/12 Season to Date. Live 7 to Live A25-54 viewership among basic cable drama series. ** Mad Men Season 5 (3/25/12-6/10/12). *** Live + Same Day. % composition of A25-54 HHI $100K+ of Mad Men Season 5 compared to all other basic cable original drama series from 1Q11 to date. Premiere episodes.

Created by Emmy(R) and Golden Globe(R) winner Matthew Weiner and produced by Lionsgate, "Mad Men" made history last September as the first basic cable series ever to win the Emmy(R) for Outstanding Drama Series in four consecutive years. Set in 1960s New York, "Mad Men" is a sexy and provocative drama that follows the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Madison Avenue advertising. The season premiere episode is also available on amctv.com.

About AMC

AMC reigns as the only cable network in history to ever win the Emmy(R) Award for Outstanding Drama Series four years in a row, as well as the Golden Globe(R) Award for Best Television Series - Drama for three consecutive years. Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre and decade or creating acclaimed original programming, the AMC experience is an uncompromising celebration of great stories. AMC's original stories include "Mad Men," "Breaking Bad," "The Walking Dead," "The Killing" and "Hell on Wheels." AMC further demonstrates its commitment to the art of storytelling with its slate of unscripted original series, as well as curated movie franchises like AMC's Can't Get Enough and AMC's Crazy About. Available in more than 97 million homes (Source: Nielsen Media Research), AMC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and its sister networks include IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile. AMC: Story Matters HereSM.

About Lionsgate Television

Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) is a leading global entertainment company with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, family entertainment, digital distribution and new channel platforms. The Company has built a strong television presence in production of prime time cable and broadcast network series, distribution and syndication of programming through Debmar-Mercury and an array of channel assets. Lionsgate currently has 15 shows on more than 10 networks spanning its prime time production, distribution and syndication businesses, including such critically-acclaimed hits as the multiple Emmy Award-winning "Mad Men," "Weeds," "Nurse Jackie" and "Boss," as well as the syndication successes "Tyler Perry's House Of Payne," its spin off "Meet The Browns," "Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse," "The Wendy Williams Show," "Are We There Yet?" and the upcoming "Anger Management."